Author: Attorney Jian Joe Zhou

Advance Parole is a travel document issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that allows an applicant to depart the United States and return during its validity period while a green card application (Form I-485) is still pending, even without a valid visa.

Recently, we have observed a new trend:

In the past, when travelers entered the U.S. with a valid Advance Parole document, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers typically only verified the validity of the document and rarely conducted in-depth inquiries into the applicant’s employment background. However, recent real-world cases indicate that this practice is changing.

In one case we handled, a client was questioned in detail about their employment when entering the United States from Canada. The client was an employment-based I-485 applicant who had changed jobs after the application had been pending for more than 180 days, but had not yet filed Form I-485J or received the corresponding receipt notice. Ultimately, CBP denied the client entry on the grounds of incomplete documentation and explicitly required the applicant to obtain the I-485J receipt notice before attempting to re-enter the United States.

This case highlights an important development:

CBP has begun to scrutinize employment-based adjustment applicants’ job history and compliance more closely when they seek entry using Advance Parole.

We therefore strongly advise Advance Parole holders:

• If you have changed jobs, be sure to file a compliant Form I-485J and wait until you receive the receipt notice before planning any international travel.
• If you have not changed jobs, it is still advisable to carry recent pay stubs or other employment verification documents in case they are requested by CBP.

The more prepared you are before departing, the lower the risk you face upon re-entry. If you are unsure whether your circumstances are suitable for international travel, it is recommended that you consult a qualified professional in advance.

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Founded in 1996, Zhang & Associates, P.C. offers legal services to clients worldwide in all aspects of U.S immigration law. We have successfully handled over ten thousand immigration cases.

At Zhang & Associates, P.C., our attorneys and supporting professionals are committed to providing high-quality immigration and non-immigration visa services. We specialize in NIW, EB-1, PERM, I-485 I-130, H-1B, O, L and J cases. In the past over twenty years, we have successfully helped over ten thousand clients get green cards. If you plan to apply for a green card, please send your CV to Attorney Jerry Zhang (info@hooyou.com) for a free evaluation.

Zhang & Associates, P.C.

Chicago • Houston •Seattle 

Tel:	1-800-230-7040, 713-771-8433
Email:	info@hooyou.com
website:	http://www.hooyou.com

 

(12/21/2025)